[QUOTE=JoanieL;1081007]The three states on the left coast (west coast) all have substantially higher than federal minimum wage, with ORegon close to $9. Of course trying to find a job in OR is like trying to find a potential husband in a gay bar. ;) [/QUOTE]

In San Francisco it's over $10/hr. There have been thousands laid-off and the unemployment has skyrocketed.

Kidding.

The UE rate in SF is lower than the national average.

02-01-2013, 02:53 PM

Mr.Perfidy

[quote]
Mr Perfidy and Joanie, that seems so unfair, such a low minimum,[/quote]

Does it? lol

If minimum wages were higher than no one would hire people with current minimum-wage level skills. With a low or no minimum wage, anyone can get a job anywhere really. If it were high, then employers would be more selective and make more demands. I bet I'd have to get drug tested and shit to be able to put a hot dog in a bun in a parking lot. Fuck that.

[quote] however what is the cost of living like ????? Always relative I suppose.[/quote]

in places where I've lived, I would have to answer, "unbearable." But I live in NJ and have lived in NY and have a lot of friends in Philly, and believe that this region is generally more expensive and less indicative of the nation as a whole.

It is literally not mathematically possible to make minumum wage and pay rent though anywhere that I have ever rented an apartment (and I always search for the cheapest ones available) unless you only work and sleep. Most rent is paid by couples or by roommates who share expenses, so that there is something left to buy food and internet access and cable. Not that most workers make minimum wage, but most wage jobs around here start you at or near it, and you are lucky to get a 25cent raise in a year.

02-01-2013, 02:55 PM

valmason01

Gwamma I am in the south (Florida) but welcome to America! I can't wait to hear all of your adventures..Anytime you want to come down south, we would love to have you!

02-01-2013, 03:01 PM

NZ primal Gwamma

[QUOTE=valmason01;1081109]Gwamma I am in the south (Florida) but welcome to America! I can't wait to hear all of your adventures..Anytime you want to come down south, we would love to have you![/QUOTE]

Valmason - you wee sweet thing. DD went down to Florida last year and loved the place. I think she did a theme park ????
I don't think that we will be heading that far south this trip - however things change all the time in my camp !!!!!!

02-01-2013, 03:07 PM

NZ primal Gwamma

[QUOTE=Mr.Perfidy;1081106]Does it? lol

[/QUOTE]

I think our minimum wage at the moment is approx $13.50/hour.
This isn't a huge amount, however people do make it work. One of the problems that we do have in NZ is people head out into the country for cheaper housing/rent but don't understand that it ends up costing more to live because food is more expensive, fuel to get into the service towns is more etc...
all relative I suppose

02-01-2013, 03:50 PM

Mr.Perfidy

The numbers are relative to each other sure. Broke's broke.

02-01-2013, 03:57 PM

marthat

[QUOTE=NZ primal Gwamma;1081086]
Marthat - no I am not fast by any means, however I still have a few months. I am thinking knitted squares in different colours, then crochet around each square with black, then sew all together ???? the jury is still out.

If you're looking for ideas, this Ravelry site is the most amazing resource on the net. [url]www.ravelry.com[/url] Happy knitting!

02-01-2013, 03:57 PM

NZ primal Gwamma

okay so another question would be....
... what brands of common foods are reputable ???? I am sure they will be different to NZ brands............
ie - people talk about kerrygold butter - is that a brand of butter ?????
Jerky ? Nuts ? etc....
and another............
What restaurants would offer decent primal fare ???

02-01-2013, 04:10 PM

NZ primal Gwamma

[QUOTE=marthat;1081164]Here's one of the ideas that I would love to do someday.

in fact I couldn't believe how I got my huge metal needles through customs every time (auckland, Heathrow, Canada, San Fran, Denmark, Ireland). These are 6" metal ends on a length of cat gut - so not only was I going onto each plane with two possible stabbing devices, but a garrote as well !!!!!!

02-01-2013, 04:14 PM

Sandra in BC

[QUOTE=NZ primal Gwamma;1080850]
Next question - I do not understand the tipping system. In fact when we were in the UK a few years ago, we ate at a restaurant and didn't realise that we had to tip - as we left we heard the head honcho say "bloody Australians" !!!!!!! We laughed long and hard over that one.... sorry Australia, Us Kiwis are happy for you to take the rap sometimes !!!!!![/QUOTE]

Tipping in Canada is typically 10-15% (of the pre-tax total). Servers make minimum wage here, which is in the $10/hr range, so tipping is lower than in the US. I like to tip in cash like someone else mentioned. HST is 12%, so I just round that up.